Friday, June 29, 2018

Happy Friday! This week has flown by so quickly, and I can hardly believe that July is just around the corner. July is always a fun month - school's out, summer is in full swing, travel has begun, and we get to celebrate America with a good ol' barbecue and fireworks.

Will you be sticking around for the Fourth of July holiday or hitting the road and heading elsewhere?

We're heading back home to Wisconsin this weekend, and I can't wait to enjoy the lake, pool time, and getting to be with my family. Safari may enjoy the trip back to the Midwest more than anyone, though. I don't think I've ever seen her happier than when she came home last year. I swear, she was smiling all the time. No joke (dog owners, you know what I mean)! She loves running around like crazy chasing geese off the dock, darting after squirrels, and spending time basking in the sun. Just living her best life! I'll definitely be sharing pictures while I'm there, so make sure you're following me on Instagram to see them.

Enough about Safari (hehe)! I wanted pop on here to share this dress with you from Trina Turk. I loved the silhouette and color when I saw it a while back, but held off on purchasing it because I'd already done enough damage in the store that day! Needless to say, a few months passed by, and I was shopping on Amazon last week (I swear it'll be the death of me) and found it! It was sold out on TT's site, and any of the third party retailers who were carrying it only had limited sizing available. Much to my surprise, Amazon had several in each size available. The dress runs TTS and is perfect dressed up or down, and the grape color is fresh for summer.

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We spent most of last week/the weekend in Oklahoma meeting up with Adam's family for their annual family reunion. It was so much fun, and a great excuse to take a break from my phone and social media. Sometimes it's nice to reset, immerse myself in my surroundings and enjoy the company (and food!!!) of others. Now that I'm back in Houston, it means it's time to get back to business.

Speaking of, I am SO excited to announce that I will be speaking at the third annual Create & Cultivate Style Summit in Houston on July 21st. Create & Cultivate is an online platform and offline conference for women looking to create & cultivate the career of their dreams. They gather the next generation of curious creatives, entrepreneurs and bosses to spark conversations around the topics they are passionate about from building their businesses, to raising money. They hit all the topics to help modern working women excel in their careers, and follow their passion.

The event will be at the Houston Galleria, and is full of amazing panels, trend presentations and a keynote speaker.You'll have the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from your favorite fashion and beauty bloggers - including yours truly! The event is free, but space is filling up fast, so be sure to RSVP here to secure your spot!

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I want to kick off this post by wishing my grandma, Meme, a very happy birthday!! So many of the items I wear/style are from her closet, and they're truly items I treasure and cannot get enough of. From necklaces, to belts (my favorite), and purses, I'm so lucky to have had these items passed down to me. Plus, it means so much to me that she's a huge fan of my blog! Love you, Meme!!!

Another thing I love is how effortless this dress is, but how the attention to detail isn't overlooked. From the cinched waistline, to the grommeting on the hem and the ruffled neckline, it's simplistically chic. It is one of those pieces that you can just throw on, and it can easily take you day-to-night during the summer. Not to mention, it would be perfect for Fourth of July festivities.

I loved pairing it with this Gucci purse, which hasn't made it's debut on the blog yet....until now;) I had been pining over this bag for months, and finally took the plunge when we were in NYC in April. Every year when we visit the Big Apple I normally splurge on an investment piece. Part of the reason why is because of Bergdorf Goodman's and some amazing contacts I've made there. The store - an NYC staple - sells a lot of brands other stores don't carry (namely Goyard), but they also have some coveted pieces (like this purse) that other stores never received or don't have in stock. Their staff is always willing to go the extra mile, not to mention they always save me from paying the tax on my purchases.

Shhh, insider secret - if you ship the item to yourself, you will have to pay tax, but if you ship it to your spouse, roommate or family member who lives at the same address, you don't have to pay tax! This can save you hundreds of dollars on higher price point items. I always suggest forming relationships with people at places you visit frequently/consistently. Not only will they be willing to go out of their way to help you, but you'll also be the first to know about new items, sales, etc.

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Bring on the white! There are so many things I love about this color. Like it's counterpart black, white is a great neutral. It's the perfect focal point of any outfit, but it's also a great go-to for accessories, shoes and more.

Quickly freshen up your wardrobe this season by swapping out all your LBD's for little white dresses. Or take the plunge and "jump" on the jumpsuit trend.

I was shopping for a gift for a friend the other day at Francesca's and came across this wide leg beauty. The retailer is currently offering up to 40% off everything, so there's no better time to shop than now! I could only track down the navy version online, but if you're near a store, definitely drop in because it's only $48. I also found a similar style online that's under $100 and comes in three colors. You can shop it here.

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Summer is in full swing and let me tell you, it is HOT here! You literally cannot walk a foot without getting sweaty. Haha. That's Houston for you. With soaring temperatures, it's hard stay cool while still being fashionable. Dresses are a great option, especially this time of year.

I recently got this Alice & Olivia dress on sale for 40% off, and it's still available in a few sizes. If you're not familiar with the brand, be sure to go at least a size up, as their pieces are always on the small size. For reference, I am typically a size 0/2 and this is a size 2, but I wish I would have got it in a 4.

Not only would this dress be great for a night out, but it would be perfect for a summer wedding. It will also work well come fall and winter paired with tights, ankle booties and a leather jacket. Versatility is key when it comes to investment pieces! In case your size is unavailable, I found a few other floral and lace frocks that I'm loving here, here and here.

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